FUNDRAISER TOOLKIT
Welcome to the 8th Annual MetroSquash Cup! Whether you’re a Cup veteran or it’s your first time participating, we are glad to have your support. THANK YOU!
We know fundraising can seem daunting, so we put this Toolkit together to make your experience easier. Please use the resources here to support your efforts. We've included a to-do list, instructions to personalize your player page, email and social media templates, as well as content and pictures to share with your network.
If you have any questions about navigating your player page, please contact Jake Oher at jake@metrosquash.org.
TO-DO LIST
Things To Do ASAP
- Customize your fundraising page by adding pictures and stories.
- Write a brief story explaining why you are participating and/or what MetroSquash means to you. At the end of this toolkit is our mission statement, a description of who we are, and some accomplishments to get you started.
- Compile your contact list.
- Think about all the different communities you are a part of – work, family, friends, school, religious organizations, sports leagues, etc.
- Make sure you have current email information for everyone.
- Reach out to your contacts with personalized emails.
- Make a personal ask. These are much more likely to result in donations than mass emails or social media posts. Below, We've included sample templates you can use or you can write your own.
- Many companies offer matching gifts, so remind your donors to contact their employers.
- Spread the word on social media.
- Use Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter to excite donors about the event and direct them to your personal page. We've included sample language below.
4 Weeks Out
- Circle back.
- Don’t be afraid to send out a reminder or two. We are all inundated with emails, and these requests easily fall to the bottom of a crowded inbox.
- Ditto for social media.
- Include a new photo. We’ve included plenty to choose from, which could help put a personal face on your campaign.
During and After
- Thank you, thank you, thank you.
- Be sure to say thank you every time you receive a donation. If donors feel appreciated, they are more likely to give again.
- After the Cup, send a wrap-up of the day thanking people for supporting you and reminding others they can still donate. We will also provide you with some thank you cards in your swag bag so you can write personalized notes.
PERSONALIZING YOUR PLAYER PAGE
We cannot stress enough how important this is!
Every MetroSquash fundraiser has access to his or her own fundraising page through Rallybound. This page is a useful online tool to make your fundraising experience easier. It is an easy way for people to donate to your fundraising efforts and gives your friends and family an opportunity to learn more about MetroSquash and why you’re involved.
Take a few minutes to personalize your page before reaching out to your network.
Include photos of yourself or MetroSquash - we recommended at least two!
- Use the "My Profile" section of your player page to upload a profile photo.
- Use the "My Page" section to upload additional photos, and a cover/banner photo - if you do not like the default one, there are already several to choose from.
Share your story and the MetroSquash story!
- Write a short welcome message on the "My Page" section that people viewing your page will see. Tell your friends and family about MetroSquash, the Cup, and why you’re involved. Ideas and text are included below. Remember to include your fundraising goal.
Other Features Offered Through Rallybound
- Email: upload your email contacts and send an email through the Rallybound platform.
- Reports: track who is donating to your page. This feature is especially helpful after the event when you’re thinking about a final thank you to all who supported you in your fundraising efforts.
Email Solicitation Template
Hello _______!
I am participating in this year’s MetroSquash Cup which is a team fundraising competition that culminates in a squash tournament on April 20th. All funds raised directly support MetroSquash’s transformative impact on Chicagoland youth. All donations are 100% tax deductible.
You can donate directly to my page by clicking on this link: (provide URL).
MetroSquash is a nonprofit that has supported students who desire and deserve more since 2005 and operates in Woodlawn and Evanston. MetroSquash engages these students with over 400 hours a year of personalized academic support, squash instruction, and enrichment opportunities. MetroSquash provides all of this free of charge, and the organization becomes a second home to its youth.
MetroSquash works with students from 5th grade through postsecondary success which is 12 years of support! Their model of long-term engagement works. Here is a glimpse into their impact:
- 100% Graduate High School vs. 72% for Chicago Public School Students
- 98% Enroll in College vs. 58% for Chicago Public School Students
- 88% Will Graduate College vs. 18% for Chicago Public School Students
Thank you for considering donating to my fundraising page. If you would like to know more about the program, feel free to contact Jake Oher at jake@metrosquash.org.
You can also mail in donations to avoid the credit card and transaction fees. Please make checks out to "MetroSquash" and include the name of the team and fundraiser you are supporting. Mail donations to:
MetroSquash
Attn: Jake Oher
6100 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637
Kind Regards,
(Your Name)
Social Media Template
I am proud to support MetroSquash, an incredible nonprofit organization changing the lives of youth in Chicago. This program partners with students for up to 12 years and creates a holistic and sustained model for supporting students with demonstrated need!
Today, I am asking you to support me as I work to support our students! On April 20th, I’ll be playing in the 8th Annual MetroSquash Cup, and I’d love your support. You can donate to my efforts here (insert personal page link), and please consider sharing my campaign.
A few stats about the work of MetroSquash:
- 98% college enrollment rate – 2x the Chicago Public Schools’ rate
- 88% college persistence rate – 5x the Chicago Public Schools’ rate
- 85% of alumni have secured full-time employment
Thanks so much in advance and please let me know if you are interested in getting more involved with this incredible organization.
Photos
Click here for program photos you can download and use on your player page and in your emails and social media posts.
Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
$100,000 - Presenting Sponsor
- Official host of team reception - includes 50 guests
- Private dinner with squash pros
- Private match with squash pros
- Logo prominently displayed at all events
- Logo on the official event website
- Logo included in all promotional materials
$50,000 - Gold Sponsor
- 20 invitations to team reception
- Private match with squash pros
- Logo placement at all events
- Logo placement on the event website
- Logo included in all promotional materials
$25,000 - Silver Sponsor
- 5 invitations to team reception
- Logo placement at the tournament
- Logo placement on the event website
$10,000 - Bronze Sponsor
- 2 invitations to team reception
- Logo placement at the team reception
- Logo placement on the event website
Contact Jake Oher at jake@metrosquash.org regarding all corporate sponsorship opportunities
METROSQUASH MISSION AND IMPACT
The following section includes relevant content about MetroSquash that you can use when sharing information with your network. Feel free to copy this content verbatim or use it as inspiration!
Mission Statement
For Chicagoland youth who desire and deserve more, MetroSquash combines academic support, competitive squash, and enrichment opportunities to empower students to realize their potential and make their mark. MetroSquash is an 501(c)(3) out-of-school time and college success program that utilizes a long-term and holistic model to serve Chicagoland public school students with demonstrated need. Operating on the South side of Chicago in Woodlawn since 2005 and in Evanston since 2018, students enter the program as early as 5th grade and receive support through post-secondary completion. Through our unique, pathway model, MetroSquash is able to empower students to become healthy adults with social and economic stability. The program comprises four essential youth-development pillars: squash & fitness (physical), acadmeics & enrichment (academic), social work & supportive services (emotional), and college & careers (professional).
Program Highlights:
- 19 years of serving Chicagoland youth who desire and deserve more
- Serving over 400 students from 5th grade through post-secondary completion across 2 locations - Woodlawn and Evanston
- 98% college enrollment rate – 2x the Chicago Public Schools’ rate
- 88% college persistence rate – 5x the Chicago Public Schools’ rate
- 85% of alumni have secured full-time employment
- 450 students served per year
- 120 volunteers
- 47 Parent Board Members
6100 S. Cottage Grove Avenue
